Steward Partners added six advisor teams representing more than $2.2 billion in combined client assets during the third quarter of 2026. Five of the teams joined through Steward’s M&A channel, while one affiliated through its traditional model.
American Financial Advisors, led by Mike Stark in Georgia, joined with approximately $1 billion in client assets.
O’Neill Wealth Management in New Jersey added approximately $426 million.
Sapphire Blue Advisors in Michigan joined with approximately $305 million.
KM Private Wealth, led by Kyle Martin in Alabama, brought approximately $194 million.
Axiom Capital Wealth Management, led by Bob Phinney in Massachusetts, represented approximately $191 million.
Integrity Financial Services, led by Jeff Seitz in Washington, joined with approximately $116 million.
The third-quarter additions follow more than $6 billion of client assets added across 11 advisor teams during the first half of 2026.
Steward’s Strategic Growth platform offers advisory businesses several affiliation paths, including continued independence, strategic liquidity, M&A support, and succession planning.
The firm said the activity reflects increasing demand from established advisory businesses for models combining independence with institutional infrastructure.
Steward Partners had more than $57 billion in client assets as of September 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“This quarter reflects what we’re seeing across the marketplace. Successful advisors and founders want more options, not fewer.”
Scott Danner, Chief Growth Officer at Steward Partners
“Five M&A affiliations in a single quarter is a reflection of the rigor we’ve built into that process, not just demand for it.”
Valerie Rivera, Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Growth at Steward Partners
“Advisory businesses do not all arrive at the same decision for the same reason, and they should not be forced into the same model.”
Jeff Gonyo, Head of Wealth Management at Steward Partners
